Jamila – yes, I had the flu shot too this year and I had a bad reaction to it but it seems to have done the trick so far as I haven’t been too sick yet. How long ago did you have your flu shot because it takes up to two weeks before it becomes effective? But, from everything that I hear a cold will not affect your baby unless you are vomiting and the baby is deprived of nutrients or you become dehydrated. I think you and your baby will be just fine! I did develop a simple cold and was permitted to take some over the counter cold meds. Of course, I got permission before I took anything.

Sara – I hope that you enjoyed your day off with the family. Yes, it was hard for me to leave but I know I will be back before I know it.

AFM – Well, day one down and only 4 days to go before I get to go home. I didn’t get any sleep all last night because I was worrying about Gabriella and my trip, so I am just exhausted and I about to get some rest. Good night everyone!

Franca- Im in the dame boat. nataliah is sleeping all day and up all nite. the most I can get her to sleep is when she sleeps with me. I know its bad she's already getting use to it. I breast feed her as well and she wakes up through out the night to eat. I know formula fed babies will sleep longer and eat less. I got this breast feeding down better. It hurt so bad at first but now its better.

Angela thank for the feed back, the last time i had my flu shot was March last year and i always get sick from it. I have an OB appointment on wenesday, so i might get the shot.

I tought you were going to Texas for a day only, so you are going to be there for 5 days so who is staying with princess Gabriella? I understand why you can't sleep but the 4 days will fly fast, you will be back soon take it easy and take care.

Hi Nat yes pain up the bum that they have there days mixed up but they say breast is best so i'm going to carry on until at least 4 months. Do you get night sweats? and ache from exhaustion? it makes me feel like shite!!xx

Hello ladies... gosh it's been a while but finding it hard to post personals, but I stalk you all on FB when I can. I love seeing the pictures and comments. Though this thread is dying out a bit, I still think of all of you! Don't think just because I don't show up here much anymore that I don't. You are all my strength and if not for every single one of you, I don't know what kind of a mess I would have turned into! If not for this thread, I wouldn't have found all you friends and a sister... Yes you Katie! lol Our words have brought us so close and I love it and cherish it more than anything. Thank you all for your love and support. I will keep in touch from now on more on FB but I will be here from time to time to follow you friends who are still expecting, like Sonya, Lou and Karen!! Don't forget, we all have to stalk Katie here soon too!! Ronda, lots of love to you! Tammy, I haven't forgotten about you if you happen to roll in and read this, I am still sending you baby dust! If anyone who hasn't jumped on FB, the easiest way to find me in the search is under my maiden name Stephanie Ziemba, there are just too many Stephanie Ford's to look through, but I can be found under either name. Ok, I guess this is my official goodbye. Oh... those of you who haven't gotten a registry gift from me, I haven't forgotten about you! Times are just a little tough and my mind is not all there anymore. lol So from now on, you will see me peeking in or on FB. Love you all!! SMOOCHES!!

PS. Franca, great idea about a meet up somewhere. Milan sounds great, but not easy for us over here on this side of the pond. You and Hazel are in England and Gi is Ireland, so maybe something in that neck of the woods?? This will have to be a very well planned thing and could take some time for a lot of us but I love the idea of all of us meeting in person and getting to hold and play with each other's little ones. Lets keep this idea open, shall we?? If anyone has any two cents about this idea, please throw them out there.

I think England is a great idea and as i'v said to you before Steph you can stay at mine. I live in London so we will have loads to do. We can also hire out somewhere which will make it cheaper and alot more fun. We should maybe contact the BBC and tell them about our journeys? lol that would be soooo funny. I think they would love it personally. My husband has helped them with a few documentries ..Anyway anyone else have any ideas? Lets do this girls

I guess I need to get Addison a passport. I wish the departure tax wasn't so much out of England...or all of the UK. In Ireland it's only like 8 or 11 Euro. I can't remember. I just know it's under $20 USD.

Franca-I LOVE that idea!! It would be the best to meet up and London sounds like a perfect place to do that Now, if I could just win the lottery....

I hope everyone is doing well! I have caught up with a few of you on FB-I'm terrible about searching/finding people but I would to friend everyone I've missed. You can send a request to Sara Albers Hermann.

London, hmm - I guess we'll all need passports - oh, and well like Sara said - we'd better win the lottery too..

Angela - Congrats honey! Hooray for a trip to Costa Rica!! And more important congrats on winning high a high honor! Aw, Gabriella must look so darn cute in her car seat passport picture

Steph - Honey your post choked me up a little, but I totally get how busy your sweet babies must be keeping you. I'll keep stalking you on FB too, but will sure miss you around here.. my sister -much love xoxoxo

PA - How are you healing mama? Are you feeling better I hope? And how is the ultra adorable Addison doing? - xoxo

Babyluv - How are you getting along honey? You must be super busy with the big kids and the twin sweethearts - xoxo

Gi - How is the precious Miss Kayla?

Ryan has his 4 month Peds appt tomorrow, I cant wait to see what he weighs now, my scale said 13 lbs a few weeks ago, but I think that may be a little off. I asked for his vaccination records last visit and was told that they dont give you a copy each time that they will hold onto all of them until he needs them for school and will just give it to us then, so I dont like this answer. I think that keeping your own records is important, I mean this is a private practice, what if he closes, moves, or something? Then I have no vacc records??? So pretty much if I dont get a copy tomorrow of his 2 & 4 month vacc, I'll be looking for a new Ped - fun, yes? Have you all gotten a copy of all vaccines so far? I'm trying to figure out if this is the norm, or is my Ped just lazy? Or am I being anal retentive again? we'll see tomorrow - Miss you all lots and hope everyone is doing great - xoxoxo

Katie – I did get a copy of her shots because I had to have it before she started daycare. It is a state law! I don’t blame you for requesting his records because you are certainly right about him closing and leaving.

Kind of an off topic post. Has anyone ever dealt with a family member that had a phobia that was affecting how the rest of the family interacts and no one is doing anything about it? I'm dealing with this issue with my MIL. She hasn't been outside in four years. She does have bad knees but nothing that keeps her from walking. And she can go up and down stairs if she has to but prefers not to. Hence one reason she says she doesn't do anything. She doesnt drive, wont eat out bc of fear of food poisoning, has never met my parents when they are in town bc she feels embarassed about their condo...and last Tgiving and Xmas she decided she wasnt in the mood to make an effort to do anything. We went over there and were served chix salad sandwiches for tgiving and handed a white envelope with a check for xmas. We never ever say anything to her about this insane crap. Mostly bc my Dh feels overwhelmed. They live in a condo that is on the second level and requires her to do stairs if she wants to go out. We have to go to their house if we want to see her and FIL. Although sometimes FIL will come over to our house to visit. BTW we live 20 minutes away. Which would be fine if she was truly physically disabled. But she isn't. We have been encouraging them for two years to move to a place on ground level. Also FIL chain smokes and their place smells like a bar. He doesn't smoke when I am there but it really doesn't help much. I have minor lung irritation issues and when i am there i cough alot after 10 minutes We smell like a bar when we leave. Hair, coats, clothes, etc. This worries me greatly with baby coming. I refuse to take a baby to an unhealthy environment like that. Can you imagine them and their carseat, blankets, clothes, etc smelling like this? DH is struggling with this too. He did tell his mom she would need to start making efforts to come over when baby arrives bc we can't always be expected to cart the kid over to them. Especially in a smoky house. She kinda went silent. I am not equipped to deal with someone with a phobia and avoidance issues. BTW...Sorry if this offends any smokers. I use to smoke and think people have the right to do what they want. It is a legal product. Any advice?

Other than this I'm doing ok. Pregnancy has been uneventful and now that I'm not sick I feel pretty decent. Going to find out sex at anatomy scan with DH and then call the clinic to get my PGD results so we know they are correct!!! At my last u/s on Friday baby was in a weird position but the tech said she didn't see a penis. But she said it could be hidden given the position. I still think it is a boy. But I could be wrong!!!!

Karen – your situation sounds very stressful. I am sorry that you and your DH are going through this. I haven’t personally gone through this but I have called on several psychiatrists and studied the subject very intensely and it sounds like your mother-in-law needs some counseling and maybe some medication. Maybe, your baby will give her the will power to seek some help.

I am so happy that your pregnancy is going well. I can’t wait to hear what you are having. What date is your u/s scheduled for?

Okay, so we can meet in Costa Rica! Yeah Angela! That makes the first trip away from Gabriella a little more worth it. When is the wedding in Canada?

Katie-I have the little pink tri-fold card with shot records for both babies. Your doc. should be willing to at least sign off on a card like that for you. You're right...if they go out of practice you would be without and that will cause trouble for lots of situations. How is Ryan doing? Can you believe it has been 4 months already? I told my husband that I feel like it has been years since I was pregnant but there is no way our babies should be 4 months already. Blink and it all goes by so quickly.

Karen-First, I am so glad that your pregnancy is going well. It will be exciting to find out boy or girl! As for your family situation I agree with Angela-her problems sound big enough to need professional help. It isn't an easy situation because you can't make her but you really need her to make changes. My FIL is an alcoholic and it can be very difficult to deal with. I wish you luck.

I am counting down until Spring Break-March 14th. Laney is rolling over nonstop. Fun times Well, gotta get a crying baby. Take care!Sara

Katie hope Ryans checkup went well cant wait to hear what he weighs!! I reckon closer to 16lbs

Sara so the twins are learning to roll over how cute!! Kayla hasnt figured that out yet and still hates tummy time!! Do they still have to feed every few hrs during the night?? Oh and def. organise with dh to go swimming with them its so much fun and they will be so tired afterwards

Natasha hopefully she will figure out this night time business soon though Kayla still wakes up around 5 ish for a bottle. It must be tougher breastfeeding as i do agree bottle fed babies last and sleep longer but breast is best though it wasnt for me.

Angela Congrats on winning the presidents club!! So proud of you, are you home yet????

PA how are you feeling now??? ARe you recovered from section yet??

Karen sorry to hear about your situation sorry cant help much. I am so thrilled everytime i see your ticker creeping up, cant wait to hear what it is!!

AFM poor Kayla is a little bit constipated, pooping a little but not as much as usual, she was very whingy friday night and a bit last night i also think she is a little collicky so we have been giving her a bit of infacol and it seems to be working. On a better note (touch wood) her sleeping at night is getting much better she now goes down around 8:30 till about 5, then back down till 9. I have also been getting a bit tougher on her during the day and making her nap in her crib instead of buggy she usually isnt impressed but after a few mins she falls asleep every day varies but she gets around 4-5 naps a day ranging from 30min to 1 hr and if i go into town she will still sleep for hours in her buggy. She also had her 3 mth checkup last week and is above average in everything especially her weight She weighs 15lbs and we can start her on solids at 16wks old...hopefully pureed fruits will help with constipation!!! We went swimming again yesterday and i got in as well and again she Loved it, jason was laughing at me as its the 1st time in years i wore a full swimming togs and not a bikini!! though hopefully body should be bikini ready in few wks time, doing around 400 situps a day now so tummy is getting flatter again Back to work 2nd May maybe i will lotto by then and fly all of us to Milan to meet up